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James “Jimmy” Hartnett died peacefully on June 28, 2023, in Miami, Florida. Born into the Great Depression, Jim grew up in Coral Gables, Florida – the city he loved, lived and raised a family. Jim took great pride in Miami and its growth, and he was a proud son of former Mayor of Coral Gables, Fred Hartnett, a pioneer of The City Beautiful.
Jim attended St. Theresa School and was part of the last graduating class of Ponce de Leon Senior High School, where he participated in various sports and clubs. Jim first attended Union College, and was later drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After his military service, Jim graduated from the University of Florida and was a proud Gator for the rest of his life. During his time at Florida, Jim was initiated into the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and was a proud member of the Phi Delt brotherhood throughout his life. After college, Jim returned to Miami and Coral Gables, where he would live and serve for more than 65 years.
In 1959, Jim married Katherine “Kitty” Palmer Hartnett. Kitty is the daughter of former Mayor of Miami Perrine “Gootsie” Palmer. For the next 64 years, Jim and Kitty proudly raised their three children and lived the rest of their lives together in Coral Gables. Jim coached his boys’ baseball teams for years, and rarely missed a game, performance or ceremony that included any of his children and grandchildren.
Jim worked as an insurance agent for MassMutual for more than 50 years, serving his community and various individual and corporate clients, including various pension plans for the police, fire, and city workers of Coral Gables. Nevertheless, Jim’s true calling was vocational service work. He was always keenly interested in his fellow man and their accomplishments, and Jim gave freely of his time and expertise. He was a devout Catholic and pioneer of his beloved St. Hugh Catholic Church, and a founding member of St. Hugh Chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Jim devoted a significant amount of time over 60 years serving the poor and less fortunate who needed a helping hand during difficult times. Jim was also a founding member of the Miracle Mile Toastmasters Club, and rarely missed a weekly meeting over a 55-year span. Jim was a member of Bachelors Club of Miami early in his life, and enjoyed Emeritus Status at his two favorite restaurants, Duffy’s Tavern and Burger Bob’s in Coral Gables.
Jim is predeceased by his mother, Elizabeth Grace “Betty” Hartnett, and father, Fred B. Hartnett, as well as his brothers Fred Hartnett, Bill Hartnett, and Jack Hartnett. He is survived by his sons James “Jim” Hartnett, Jr. (Lisa), David Palmer Hartnett (Allison), and his daughter Sallie Hartnett Mobley (Mike), as well as his grandchildren Alexander Palmer Hartnett, Katelyn Alexis Hartnett, Kevin Tyler Mobley (Sheridan), and Caroline McNeal Mobley. He is also survived by his brother Robert Crahan Hartnett (Betty) and many other relatives that he loved.
A visitation will occur Friday, July 7, 2023 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Maspons Funeral Home, 7895 SW 40th Street, Miami, Florida 33155, https://www.masponsfuneral.com. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Hugh Catholic Church, 3460 Royal Rd., Coconut Grove, FL 33133. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Hugh Chapter of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, which can be found online at https://sthughmiami.org/church/donate-online/.
